JoSAA Counselling 2026, Dates, Registration, Seat Allotment for IITs, NITs, IIITs & GFTIs Admissions
JoSAA Counselling 2026 manages admission to IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST, and GFTIs based on JEE Main/Advanced ranks. It includes registration, choice filling, seat allotment, document verification, fee payment, and final reporting to secure undergraduate engineering seats.
JoSAA Counselling 2026
JoSAA Counselling 2026 is the centralized counseling process to get admissions in reputed IITs, NITs, and other top engineering colleges in India. It is for students appearing in JEE Main and JEE Advanced 2026 who wish to have an easy admission process by following a proper methodology in order to gain admissions in their desired colleges and branches.The procedure consists of many rounds, choice filling, and deadlines. You can know about the whole registration process, seat allocation rounds process, and tips to follow a proper choice filling strategy with our guide, thereby enabling you to make your admission process an easy one.
JoSAA differs from others in the way that it is centralized counseling, which includes multiple kinds of institutes. In contrast to state-level counselling, where students get admission in their regional colleges, students get admission in national-level institutions under JoSAA. Students have the option to change their choices an unlimited number of times until the deadline date. They also have float, slide, and freeze options during seat allocations.
All candidates qualifying JEE Advanced 2026 and having a valid JEE Main rank must register for JoSAA counselling to secure admission to UG engineering programs.
The JoSAA 2026 registration opens on June 2, 2026. Complete details on eligibility, application, counselling process, seat matrix, and important dates are available on the official JoSAA website (josaa.nic.in) and JEE Advanced portal (jeeadv.ac.in).
JoSAA Counselling 2026 Overview
JoSAA Counselling 2026 is the common admission process for students seeking B.Tech seats in top government engineering institutes across India. It brings together the admission procedure for IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, and various Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) under one platform. The seat allocation is done based on performance in JEE Advanced for IITs, while JEE Main ranks are considered for other participating institutes.
A total of 121 institutes, including 23 IITs, 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, and 40 GFTIs, participate in this process. Eligible students must register on the official JoSAA website to take part in the counseling and secure their preferred seat in any of these institutions.
JoSAA Eligibility Criteria 2026, JEE Main And JEE Advanced Restrictions
To take part in JoSAA Counselling 2026, students must meet a few important conditions. These are different for those who appeared in JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
For JEE Main Qualified Students (For NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs):
- Must pass Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics as main subjects.
- Also need one subject from Chemistry/Biology/Biotech/Technical Vocational.
- General category students must score at least 75% marks or be in the top 20 percentile of their board.
- Reserved category students need 65% marks or the top 20 percentile.
- Must clear JEE Main Cutoff 2026, but clearing the cutoff does not mean guaranteed admission.
For JEE Advanced Qualified Students (For IITs):
- Must be in the top 2,50,000 JEE Main rankers.
- Should meet the JEE Advanced cutoff.
- Must fulfill all eligibility rules of JEE Main too.
For IIT Preparatory Courses (Only SC/ST/PwD):
- Only SC, ST, or PwD category students are allowed.
- Must qualify JEE Advanced.
- Should also check if any course-wise restrictions apply in IITs.
It is important to know that each participating institute may have some extra rules. So, students must visit the official JoSAA website to check those details carefully. Final seat allotment will only happen if all eligibility rules are followed and document verification is completed successfully.
JoSAA Counselling Dates 2026
JoSAA 2026 follows a tight schedule aligned with JEE Main and JEE Advanced result announcements. Based on previous years’ patterns, here is the expected timeline:
Registration Start: Around June 15, 2026
Registration Close: Around June 25, 2026
Choice Filling Window: June 26 to July 2, 2026
Round 1 Seat Allocation: July 5, 2026
Round 6 Seat Allocation: August 9, 2026
The complete seat allocation round schedule is listed below:
| Round | Seat Allocation Date | Result Declaration | Response Deadline |
| Round 1 | July 5, 2026 | July 6, 2026 | July 10, 2026 |
| Round 2 | July 12, 2026 | July 13, 2026 | July 17, 2026 |
| Round 3 | July 19, 2026 | July 20, 2026 | July 24, 2026 |
| Round 4 | July 26, 2026 | July 27, 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
| Round 5 | August 2, 2026 | August 3, 2026 | August 7, 2026 |
| Round 6 | August 9, 2026 | August 10, 2026 | August 14, 2026 |
Each round follows a systematic approach where seat allocation results are published, followed by a response period where candidates must accept, reject, or choose to participate in subsequent rounds. Missing any deadline results in automatic forfeiture of the allocated seat, with no provision for extension.
| JoSAA Counselling 2026 Important Dates | |
|---|---|
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
| 02 Jun ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Registration & Choice Filling Starts |
| Jun ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Display of Mock Seat Allocation-1TENTATIVE |
| Jun ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Display of Mock Seat Allocation-2TENTATIVE |
| Jun ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Seat Allocation (Round 1)TENTATIVE |
| Jun ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Online reporting: fee payment/document upload (Round 1)TENTATIVE |
| Jun ‘ 26 | JoSAA Counselling Last Date to respond to query (Round 1)TENTATIVE |
| 25 Jun ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Counselling Seat Allocation (Round 2) |
| Jun ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Online reporting: fee payment / document upload (Round 2)TENTATIVE |
| Jun ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Initiation of Withdrawal of seat / Exit from seat allocation process (Round 2)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Counselling Last Date to respond to query Round 2TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Counselling Seat Allocation (Round 3)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026: Initiation of Withdrawal of seat / Exit from seat allocation process (Round 3)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Online reporting: fee payment / document upload / response by candidate to query (Round 3)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Resolution of Fee Payment Issues, if any / Last day to respond to queries (Round 3)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Counselling Seat Allocation (Round 4)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Online reporting: fee payment / document upload / response by candidate to query (Round 4)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Initiation of Withdrawal of seat / Exit from seat allocation process (Round 4)TENTATIVE |
| 10 Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Resolution of Fee Payment Issues, if any / Last day to respond to queries (Round 4) |
| 11 Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Seat Allocation (Round 5) |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Initiation of Withdrawal of seat / Exit from seat allocation process (Round 5)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Online reporting: fee payment / document upload / response by candidate to query (if required) (Round 5)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Last day to respond to Withdrawal Query (Round 5)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Resolution of Fee Payment Issues, if any / Last day to respond to queries (Round 5)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Seat Allocation (Round 6) FINAL ROUND of seat allocation for IITsTENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Online reporting: fee payment / document upload / response by candidate to query (if required) (Round 6)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Initiation of Withdrawal of seat (Round 6) [For NIT+ System Only]TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Resolution of Fee Payment Issues, if any / Last day to respond to queries (Round 6) FINAL ROUND of seat allocation for IITs EndsTENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 [For NIT+ System Only] Online payment of Partial Admission Fee (PAF)TENTATIVE |
| Jul ‘ 26 | JoSAA 2026 Resolution of PAF Payment Issues for Candidates who have made PAF Payment Attempts before the payment deadline |
JoSAA Counseling 2026 Registration & Choice Filling Procedure
JoSAA counseling is the process through which students get seats in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs after clearing JEE Main or JEE Advanced. It is done completely online. Students have to follow a few important steps to take part in the counseling and get admission to their desired college.
- Step 1: Online Registration: Students need to register on the official JoSAA website using their JEE Main or Advanced roll number and password.
- Step 2: Choice Filling and Locking: After registration, students must choose their preferred colleges and courses and lock them before the deadline.
- Step 3: Mock Seat Allotment: This shows a rough idea of which seat a student might get. Based on this, students can change their choices if needed.
- Step 4: Seat Allotment Result: JoSAA will announce seat allotments in different rounds. Students can either accept the seat or wait for the next round.
- Step 5: Seat Acceptance Fee Payment: After getting a seat, students have to pay the seat acceptance fee if any and download their allotment letter.
- Step 6: Reporting at Centers: Students must visit the reporting center with their original documents and photocopies for verification.
- Step 7: Final Admission at Institute: Lastly, students must report to the allotted college within the given dates to confirm their admission.
JoSAA Counselling 2026 Participating Institutes
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) conducts centralized counselling for undergraduate engineering admissions across India. For 2026, a total of 127 institutes are expected to participate in the JoSAA counselling process, covering a range of premier technical institutions. These include:
- 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) – admissions based on JEE Advanced ranks
- 31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs) – based on JEE Main performance
- 26 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) – based on JEE Main scores
- 47 Other Government Funded Technical Institutes (Other‑GFTIs) – also through JEE Main ranks
Seats across these institutes are allotted according to candidates’ JEE Main/JEE Advanced ranks, category, and choices filled during counselling. Aspirants should review the list of participating institutes carefully before beginning their JoSAA 2026 registration and choice filling
JoSAA Seat Matrix 2026
The official JoSAA Seat Matrix 2026 will be released on the official website. Students will be able to check the updated seat matrix to see the available seats in different institutes under JoSAA for this year.
JoSAA Seat Allotment 2026
Your rank, category, and options filled determine the JoSAA seat allotment process. This process analyzes all the applicants at once, starting with higher ranks. At a certain rank level, category quota becomes important.
The seat chart reflects the number of seats available in colleges and branches according to categories. Having an understanding of the seat matrix will help you determine your prospects. 49.5 percent seats are available for general category students while reserved categories have fixed quotas:
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
| General | 49.5% |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC-NCL | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| PwD | 5% (horizontal reservation) |
Gender-neutral and female-only seats are also available under each category. If female-only seats are not filled up, then they are considered gender-neutral seats.
The home state quota is an important criterion for getting admission to NITs. 50% of the seats in NITs are reserved for candidates belonging to the state in which the college is located. In contrast, there is no state quota for other central institutions, such as the IITs.
It is essential to note the opening and closing ranks of each category from past years’ data. They provide an idea about what ranks will be suitable for admission to specific colleges and departments. The ranks keep changing every year depending on the paper and students’ performances.
After every allocation round, candidates who get seats can opt for Float, Slide, and Freeze options. Any seat that is not taken by candidates due to upgrades or withdrawal in any round will again go back to the list of available seats. Thus, there could be chances of better seats in later rounds.
Preparing for JoSAA counseling is much easier when it is done in a step-by-step manner. Always organize yourself according to the deadlines, register yourself properly, choose your preferences wisely, and get your documents in order. Proper preparation at this stage would help you get your preferred seat in 2026.
JoSAA Counselling Fees 2026: SAF and PAF
To continue with the JoSAA 2026 counselling process and confirm a seat in IITs or the NIT+ system, candidates must pay the applicable fees. The verification of uploaded documents will only begin after successful payment of the fee.
JoSAA seat acceptance fee (SAF) 2026
When a candidate is allotted a seat for the first time, they must pay the Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) in that round. Not paying the SAF will be considered as declining the allotted seat, and the candidate will become ineligible for all further rounds.
JoSAA SAF Amount Based on Category is given below:
| JoSAA seat acceptance fee (SAF) 2026 | |
| Category | Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) |
| SC, ST, GEN-PwD, GEN-EWS-PwD, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC-PwD, ST-PwD | INR 20,000 |
| All other candidates | INR 45,000 |
Payment Methods: Candidates can make the payment through UPI, debit card, credit card, net banking, or by using an e-Challan.
JoSAA Partial Admission Fee (PAF) 2026
After the final round of JoSAA counselling, candidates who are allotted seats in the NIT+ system (and haven’t withdrawn or cancelled their seat) must pay the Partial Admission Fee (PAF). If this fee is not paid, the allotted seat will be considered forfeited.
JoSAA PAF Amount Based on Category is given below:
| JoSAA Partial Admission Fee (PAF) 2026 | |
| Category | Partial Admission Fee (PAF) |
| SC, ST, GEN-PwD, GEN-EWS-PwD, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC-PwD, ST-PwD | INR 20,000 |
| All other candidates | INR 45,000 |
Payment Methods: JoSAA PAF can be paid via Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking, or by using the State Bank of India e-Challan (downloadable from the JoSAA portal for offline payment).
JoSAA 2026 Seat Allotment Letter
Once the uploaded documents are verified and the candidate is found eligible, the respective IITs or NIT+ System institutes will provisionally confirm the allotted seat. The confirmation will be updated on the JoSAA 2026 online portal.
If all requirements are met, a Provisional Seat Allotment Letter will be generated and made available for download on the portal. This letter indicates that the candidate has accepted the offered seat, but final admission is subject to successful certificate verification, joining the allotted institute, and clearing any remaining institute fees.
JoSAA Counselling 2026: Key Documents for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs
Students who get a seat in NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs through JoSAA Counselling 2026 will be asked to present some important documents for verification. These documents prove that the student is eligible for admission and has followed all the rules properly. Here is the list of documents required at the time of document verification:
- Three passport-size photos (same as used in the JEE Main 2026 form)
- Provisional seat allotment letter from JoSAA
- Undertaking by the candidate (as per format provided during counseling)
- Fee payment proof for seat acceptance (downloaded after payment via SBI e-challan or net banking)
- Class 10 mark sheet or any official proof of date of birth
- Class 12 mark sheet and passing certificate
- Valid photo ID (like Aadhar card, school ID, PAN card, etc.)
- Medical certificate in the given format
- Category certificate (only if applying under SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories)
- PwD certificate, if applicable
- OCI certificate or PIO card, if applicable
- Printout of choices filled during JoSAA counseling
List of Documents for IITs:
Students who are allotted a seat in any IIT through JoSAA counselling will need to carry some important documents for the verification process. These documents help in confirming the admission. Here is the list of documents required for admission to IITs:
- Provisional seat allotment letter
- Two passport-size photos (same as uploaded in JEE Advanced 2026 form)
- Undertaking by the candidate (as per JoSAA format)
- Fee payment proof for seat acceptance (via SBI e-challan or internet banking)
- Valid photo ID (like Aadhar card, school ID, PAN card, etc.)
- JEE Advanced 2026 admit card
- Date of birth proof (Class 10 mark sheet)
- Class 12 mark sheet and pass certificate
- Medical certificate in the required format
- Category certificate, if applicable
- PwD certificate, if applicable
- Passport of candidate and parents (for foreign nationals) or OCI/PIO card, if applicable
- Defence Service (DS) certificate, if applicable
- Printout of locked choices filled during JoSAA counselling
It’s important for students to carry both original documents and photocopies. Only after successful verification of all these documents will admission to the allotted institute be confirmed.
JoSAA Counseling 2026: Important Notice for PwD Students
PwD students will have special instructions for physical verification during JoSAA 2026 counseling. They will be allowed extra time and can choose their verification center.
Physical Verification for IITs:
- Verification begins with choice filling and continues through counseling rounds.
- It must be completed by the end of the counseling round when a seat is allotted.
- Students must register on the JoSAA portal and select a date and time for verification.
Physical Verification for NITs and Other Institutes:
- Similar process for NITs and other institutes.
- Verification should be completed by the end of the counseling round when a seat is allotted.
- Registration on the JoSAA portal is required, and students can select the verification date and time.
JoSAA Counselling 2026: Quick FAQs
It’s the central online system that gives you a seat in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs based on your JEE rank. One registration, 100+ colleges
Registration begins June 2, 2026. Keep your calendar marked
For IITs: You must have a valid JEE Advanced rank
For NITs/IIITs/GFTIs: You need a valid JEE Main rank
Class 12: Passed in 2024, 2025, or 2026 with PCM
Minimum marks: 75% (65% for SC/ST) OR top 20 percentile in your board
121+ institutes in total :
23 IITs
31 NITs
26 IIITs
40+ GFTIs (like BIT Mesra, DTU, etc.)
Usually 6 regular rounds + a few CSAB special rounds for leftover seats
No. Registration and choice filling are completely free. You only pay if you actually get a seat
General/OBC: ~₹35,000 – ₹45,000
SC/ST/PwD: ~₹17,000 – ₹20,000
This amount gets adjusted in your first semester college fee
Freeze: “I’m happy. Book this seat.” You’re done
Float: “I’ll keep this seat but want a better college”
Slide: “Same college, but give me a better branch”
No worries. The system will auto-lock your last saved choices at the deadline
Official website: josaa.nic.in